Don't Buy Fake Goods and Knock-Offs

We used to purchase knock offs and fakes all the time.  We picked them up all over the world.  After researching the area, we vowed never to purchase a counterfeit product ever again.

Did you know that it is illegal to bring your fake Prada wallet from Italy or your knock off DVD's from Dubai into the United Kingdom? We certainly didn't.  Perhaps, we didn't realize this because we thought that it was a pretty harmless thing to do. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. 

There is strong evidence to suggest that the production, distribution and sale of fake, knockoff goods or counterfeited goods (whatever you want to call them) is directly linked to organized crime and other illegal activities.  This also includes terrorism.  Mmmmm, food for thought.


Thankfully, many campaigns have been launched to try stem the flow of counterfeit goods into countries (most experts agree that it is pointless to try and stop the production of knockoffs as the industry is too large and underground).  The campaigns include educating consumers not to purchase fakes.  That's us!


There are some very good books which cover the industry.  They will open your eyes! Check out Amazon or your local bookstore for these titles. Knockoff - The Deadly Trade in Counterfeit Goods: The True Story of the World's Fastest Growing Crimewave by Tim Phillips and The Fake Factor: Why we love brands but buy fakes by Sarah McCartney


There are also some useful reading to be found in articles published by various groups. Take a look at these resources below if you are interested.  The Anti-Counterfeiting Group Campaigning Against the Trade in Fakes is one of the better known groups in the United Kingdom.
 HM Revenue and Customs also provides useful information on counterfeiting.


FCaNK's last word on this subject is the following! 

Don't buy fakes or counterfeits!!  It's not a good look and chances are you ARE funding criminal activities with your purchases.